HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - An Internet petition campaign by a nearby resident has Madison County planning to install a turn lane at a deadly intersection on Old Monrovia Road where a female pedestrian was killed about a month ago.

Regina Hyatt sponsored an online petition signed by more than 100 people that asked the Madison County Commission to install traffic calming measures at Old Monrovia Road and Bishop Road, where Donna Gail Preston was struck by a car and killed Aug. 25.

Hyatt said in an email that she saw the accident that killed Preston, 33, and critically injured the driver, Deonta Davis.

"It was a truly horrific accident and I have been praying for the families of both people involved since then," she said in the email.

Hyatt and other residents started the effort to get the county to make the intersection safer six months before the fatal wreck when they contacted District 4 Commissioner Dale Strong and the entire commission, she said.

"After an initial positive response, there was no further action taken," Hyatt said.

Residents responded by starting an online petition "to compel the County Commission to take action and install appropriate traffic calming measures at that intersection."

Hyatt said she doesn't know if a traffic signal or a caution light would have prevented Preston's death, but adding safety measures at the intersection could prevent future tragedies.

"I have personally witnessed several less serious accidents at this intersection and judging from the responses to our petition, my neighbors have not just seen these accidents, they've also been involved in them," Hyatt said.

Madison County engineer Richard Grace said he's talked to Strong several times in the past six to eight months about the intersection.

"After reviewing accident reports and traffic counts, we are planning to install an eastbound left turn on Old Monrovia at that intersection," Grace said.

He said the turn lane could be installed within six months.

Plummer, Research signal

Mike McKay asked in an email when the traffic signal at Research Park Boulevard and Plummer Road will begin operating.

"I've seen a few folks get nailed at this intersection and this new light is much needed - glad we're finally getting it," he said.

The signal should start operating next week, said Dennis Thompson, traffic improvements project manager in the city's Traffic Engineering Department.

The Alabama Department of Transportation is scheduled to inspect the signal Monday, Thompson said. The signal will flash for 72 hours after the inspection is completed and then start fully operating, he said.

U.S. 231/431, Bob Wade signal

The left turn signal for motorists on Bob Wade Lane and on Countess Road wanting to turn onto U.S. 231/431 has been staying red too long since the state had U.S. 231/431 repaved, Stanley Stafford said in a recent phone call.

It takes about 2 1/2 minutes for motorists on either of the side roads to get a green left turn signal.

The state Department of Transportation will check the signal timing, said Johnny Harris, the DOT's division engineer for this area.

To leave a comment or question about traffic or roads, contact Keith Clines at 256-532-4236, email keith.clines@htimes.com, tweet @KeithClines or fax 256-532-4420.